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FOLSOM, N.J., July 13, 2017 – South Jersey Gas volunteers arrived at the beach in Brigantine ready to clean up litter — popped balloons, fishing wire, and other things that pose a threat to wildlife — with the Marine Mammal Stranding Center team. In addition to working side by side with the team, South Jersey Gas also provided a $5,000 grant to the center aimed at helping them expand the reach and impact of their education program.

“The Marine Mammal Stranding Center’s commitment to the protection of our region’s resources is perfectly aligned with our company’s commitment to southern New Jersey,” said Dave Robbins, South Jersey Gas president. “The center’s efforts to rescue, rehabilitate, and release marine mammals in distress, and to preserve and restore our state’s oceans and beaches presents a perfect opportunity for South Jersey Gas to reinforce our focus on responsible stewardship of the environment while supporting the efforts of this fantastic organization.”

The $5,000 grant will help the center’s Marine Mammal Environmental Education and Outreach program send educators to schools throughout South Jersey — teaching students from elementary school to high school about how humans affect the ocean, and the ways the students can help protect the environment.
So far this year, the program educated 3,500 students in 20 schools and led 13 field trips to the Marine Mammal Stranding Center.

“By providing outreach programs to schools and the general public, the Marine Mammal Stranding Center creates an opportunity to people of all ages to discover the diversity of life in southern New Jersey, stretch their imagination and develop an appreciation and sense of responsibility for the marine environment,” said Sheila Dean, co-director of the center.

The Brigantine-based Marine Mammal Stranding Center was founded in 1978. Its mission is to rescue sick or injured marine life along New Jersey’s waterways and rehabilitate them. For the animals that are unable to return to the wild, the center gives lifetime care. Over the years it has responded to over 4,800 stranded whales, dolphins, seals and sea turtles.

About South Jersey Gas

South Jersey Gas, subsidiary of South Jersey Industries (NYSE:SJI), delivers safe, reliable, affordable natural gas and promotes energy efficiency to approximately 381,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in Atlantic, Cape May, Cumberland, Salem, and portions of Gloucester, Burlington and Camden counties in New Jersey. Visit www.southjerseygas.com to learn more about South Jersey Gas and its programs.